Looking to learn more about New York City and how you can get cheap car insurance? Well, Among major cities across the country, New York is unique. From Central Park to Times Square to the Bowery and beyond, no other metropolitan area comes close to offering as many attractions. Perhaps the most exceptional aspect of New York City life has to do with the automobile. If owning one there is hard, driving it is harder, and parking it can be nearly impossible. Nevertheless, people drive in Manhattan all the time. If you intend to be one of them, here's what you need to know.

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NYC Driving Conditions and Hazards

Some say that in NYC, the best way to drive is to put someone else behind the wheel. While this may be stretching the truth, anyone who operates a vehicle on New York City streets will have a few things to consider. Pedestrians top the list. Their "New York minute" proclivities will often tempt them to cross mid-block or against the light, and they will frequently do so en masse. Other hazards of which to beware include bicycles, horses, buses and cabs. Livery drivers in particular often take chances. It's best to drive defensively and steer clear of them if you can.

Traffic Laws Specific to NYC

When driving in the area, it's best to keep the NYC traffic rules firmly in mind. For a brief overview, remember that: - U-turns are verboten in the business district. - Except where otherwise stated, a speed limit of 30 mph is standard throughout the area. - No driver may back into or stop within the boundaries of a crosswalk or intersection. - Double parking is illegal, as is leaving a vehicle next to a hydrant, in front of a driveway or in a "no standing" zone. In addition, as many have already learned, alternate-side parking regulations can prove expensive for those who fail to move their cars at the appointed hour.

NYC Crime

Its huge population could be responsible for New York's high tally of criminal offenses. In the year 2011, the number of reported NYC property crimes included:

• Robberies: 19,773.
• Burglaries: 18,159.
• Larcenies and thefts: 112,864.
• Motor vehicle thefts: 9,434.

NYC Safety Requirements

New York City's rules for traffic safety follow the dictates of the statewide highway safety program in mandating, among other things:

• Seat belts for all front seat occupants.
• Child restraint systems for youngsters under eight.
• Bicycle helmets for children 13 and younger.
• Motorcycle helmets for drivers and riders of all ages.

NYC Impaired Driving Laws

New York is tough on DWI. It considers an adult driver with a blood-alcohol level of .05 percent to be ability impaired and one with a BAC of .08 percent or more to be intoxicated. For those under 21, the maximum allowable BAC tops out at .02 percent. Under Leandra's Law, a conviction for driving under the influence with children in the car can net the miscreant up to four years' prison time. While driving in NYC can be difficult, it is not impossible, and an awareness of the area's specific laws will make it that much safer.